Key Takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV stated that the rise of artificial intelligence influenced his choice of papal name.
- He named himself after Pope Leo XIII, who guided the Church during the Industrial Revolution.
- Leo XIII’s focus on social issues and workers’ rights (“Rerum Novarum”) inspired the new pope.
- Pope Leo XIV sees parallels between the challenges of the Industrial Revolution and the current AI era regarding human dignity and work.
- He intends to continue the social justice work of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
The newly elected Pope Leo XIV shared that his chosen papal name was partly inspired by the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the world.
In his first major speech to the College of Cardinals, he explained his connection to Pope Leo XIII, who led the Catholic Church through the significant changes brought by the Industrial Revolution from 1878 to 1903.
Leo XIII was known for his strong stance on social issues and workers’ rights during a time of massive industrial upheaval.
While citing various reasons for his name choice, Pope Leo XIV highlighted Leo XIII’s influential 1891 letter, “Rerum Novarum,” often called “Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor.” This document became foundational for modern Catholic social teachings.
That letter stressed the urgent need to address the “misery and wretchedness pressing so unjustly on the majority of the working class” during that era.
Drawing a parallel to today, Leo XIV noted that the Church now faces “another industrial revolution” driven by AI developments. He stated these changes bring new challenges to protecting human dignity, ensuring justice, and safeguarding labor, according to a transcript reported by NBC News.
Like the Industrial Revolution before it, the rapid advancement of generative AI has already started reshaping society, sparking worries about its effects on jobs and human labor.
Concerns abound regarding unregulated AI, its potential for spreading misinformation (sometimes using stolen likenesses), intellectual property disputes, and job displacement.
His predecessor, Pope Francis, was even a target of AI misinformation in 2023 when a fake image of him in a stylish puffer jacket spread widely online, demonstrating AI’s power to mislead.
Francis had previously warned about AI’s potential to spread false narratives, reinforce echo chambers, and create new forms of inequality based on access to information.
Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pontiff, indicated he plans to build on Pope Francis’s legacy, known for its commitment to social justice and service.
He spoke of following the example of his predecessors, especially Francis, praising his “complete dedication to service,” simple life, and trust in God.
